Not sure if you’re up for it?

For a while, teen fiction author Keris Stainton had struggled to get back into writing; she had been trying to write novels, but couldn’t manage finishing one. But one year, she participated in NaNoWriMo:

The novel I wrote for NaNo that year was the first one I ever finished, and so I was hooked.

Author, screenwriter, and songwriter John Palisano says that the month-long project offers a safe place to fail:

It’s about freeing yourself from those constraints and having fun with writing again. Even if writing is your day job, or your dead-serious hobby, NaNoWriMo can be a fun and fulfilling experience.

NaNoWriMo is all about writing something you want to write, just for you, without worrying about others sitting in judgment, so it’s an exercise in truly expressing yourself — which means, if you think about it, there really isn’t a way to fail!

Writer and game designer Harry Heckel has published role-playing games and fiction for two decades. Despite his experience, he had similar concerns about participating in NaNoWriMo.

Could he write 50,000 words in one month in addition to working his day job and being a father? He had to sign up to find out.

I’d say if you are on the fence, just give it a try. What’s the worst that could happen? I know 50,000 words seems inconceivable if you’ve never done it, but whether you succeed or fail, I guarantee you you’ll have more done than if you didn’t make the attempt.

Another NaNoWriMo alum, author and blogger Jennifer Bresnick, says to just go for it:

Just do it. Throw a couple of granola bars at the kids and lock yourself in your office if you have to, but just get started. Nutritional deficiencies take more than a month to show up, right? So don’t worry about it.

Convinced and ready? Some tips to consider:

While the NaNoWriMo website is where you’ll capture the magic, we hope you’ll use your blog to post updates, test your material, and share tips:

Connect with other participants on WordPress.com. Be sure to follow NaNoWriMo in your Reader to read what others all over the world are writing and saying throughout the month.

Test material on your readers. While diving into a novel is a solitary journey, know that you’ve got a support network in your readership — they know your voice, so consider trying out material on your blog. Not sure if a scene is working? Post an excerpt.

Reflect on your writing process. If you don’t want to share your novel-in-progress or get too specific with your readers, that’s fine. But consider taking time in between your sessions to reflect on your process: roadblocks you’ve hit, questions about your craft, and advice for other participants.

Track your progress as you go. While you’ve got an ultimate goal to reach 50,000 words, set other goals for yourself, whether by session, by day, by week, or other ways. “The first thing I always do is set up a word count spreadsheet to keep track,” says Keris. A record of this progress will be helpful.

You can also display the Milestone Widget in your sidebar, so your visitors know right away that you’re participating in this project until November 30.

Interested in joining in on the challenge? Visit and sign up on the NaNoWriMo site. We’ll see how everyone’s doing later in the month, but if you’re curious to hear more advice from WordPressers before you begin, check out this NaNoWriMo discussion over on The Daily Post.

Finally, if you enjoy reading about what’s new with writers in our community — and love reading the top reads on WordPress.com — subscribe to WordPress.com Weekend Reads, delivered monthly to your inbox.

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I didn’t realize there was a national novel month but how fitting of it to be November. This excites me especially considering just started this blog to do more writing. Just like Keris I have an issue with finishing projects. Thanks for the info and I’m going to take the challenge. It will be a birthday treat to myself.

Why is it that I only heard about this a few weeks ago?? And the second I heard about it, all of a sudden I’ve been noticing it all over the place. I just joined and already I have started on my novel. I am incredibly excited for this!!!

While I think the majority of participants focus on writing novels, I do think you can use this opportunity to focus on the type of writing/genre that you want. It’s really up to you, ultimately. Good luck!

I participated in 2010 and it was an exciting experience. Started with a blank page and no ideas, and ended up with over 50,000 words full of fun, action, romance and whimsy. And I did this despite a full load at an accelerated college. I will be doing it again this year…looking forward to the challenge!

Thank you so much for posting this. I remember reading about the month around February time, thinking ‘Damn! November is ages away!’ I have no idea if I can fit it in with my schedule as of late…but what’s there to lose? 🙂

Reblogged this on Along the Lion's Path and commented:
I participated for this back in 2010, and really enjoyed it! My characters have been begging me to set them free, so I think this is the best time to do so. If you’re a writer–or just like writing–give it a shot…1667 words a day is all it takes!

I have a storyline that was going to be a game, then it downgraded to a text adventure because it wasn’t actually very interactive, but it doesn’t even work as that so I might just make it a little novel…

I wrote a novel. In fact I’ve written several novels, novellas, collections of prose, and various and assorted musings. The entire publishing world is a farce and not worth the effort it takes to get rejected out of hand for not being socially forumed with the special folk.

Your comment reminded me of a recent post on writing that was featured on Freshly Pressed — some insights on the state of publishing/self-publishing, the (lower) level and quality of writers interested in breaking into the industry, and how it might not be the right path for some.

Oh, this is scary but ….. I think I’m going to give it a go! What’s a very convincing argument is sharing it on my blog; Learning from Dogs. Because I write a daily post (have been doing so since July 2009) and try as hard as I can, the blog writing, usually 2 to 3 hours a day, drains what few creative juices this 69-year-old has left in his head! So my book project (non-fiction) has been stuck for weeks.

Declaring to you guys and to my many blog readers that that’s what I’m doing for the month of November feels like a turnstile!

Reblogged this on Ms. Anonymous and commented:
I’ve been meaning to blog about this too, but I couldn’t quite figure out how to blog about it. I’m so doing this. I found out about NaNo in September and I made my account. November is just a few days away, so those who are doing NaNo I wish you luck! November is going to be a month full of writing. May your pencils stay sharp!

I didn’t know there was a month dedicated to writing a novel – what a great idea. I’m working on a children’s novel and my aim is finish it by the time I have my baby in January. This is the kick up the bum i needed!

Until I started working out short fiction on my blog, I don’t think I would have supposed I ever could produce a novel. Today, with more than 65,000 words across 50+ short stories, it starts to look possible … but of course, that happened in almost two years, not 30 days. Yikes!

Last year I did NaBloPoMo and it helped me immensely. This might just be the thing that helps me get this thing done. I have most of it written, and like any writer I am never satisfied with my work. But if I commit to this publicly it will put the fire under me.

I’m going to see my boyfriend for the first time in almost a year (and the first time for more than a week for almost two years, yay LDR) half-way through November, so I’m preeeetty sure I won’t make it (again) but I’m thinking about at least trying.

Completely forgot about it though, so I don’t have any ideas at all yet.

Reblogged this on csfinn6 and commented:
A great challenge, up there with the Dublin City Marathon. I have mine on the back burner and think I know where it’s going so I think I’ll stick with it this year. Maybe I’ll have it finished by next year and can start number 2.

My daughter is Queen Penn for this challenge. She recruited me last night and I said ‘I’ll write mine in a WordPress blog, since I love WordPress so much. Just opening a new post or page gets my juices flowing. So I’m Stephanie Queen for this challenge and the challenge to ‘write the great American novel’. That’s why we do this, right?

I am signed up for my fifth year. I look forward to this every year now. This year I am going to try to not only get the 50000 words, but also to participate more in the forums after 1st November and also to blog about my progress. I have even set up a brand new blog/site to do that. Can’t wait until the 1st.

What an exciting month this is going to be! My book, “To Vegas and Back” is being published and released during NaNoWriMo. Took five years to write, so, I am trilled it is finally out there. http://www.tovegasandback.com

Reblogged this on First Night Design and commented:
This is what I hope to doing in November, in other words getting back to my writing. Do you write? Do you want to write? Join #NaNoWriMo and go with the flow!

Reblogged this on Hoshi's Space and commented:
It is four days until NaNo and I was starting to feel unsure of myself. This article was exactly what I needed to read today! I’m printing it out to keep it with me and share with others, especially those in college that are brand new to the whole experience.

Reblogged this on The panda's mind palace and commented:
I’m not sure if I can do this, but I’m up for it. My English teacher, who is helping publish the literary magazine for my school this year, is encouraging us to do it, so I’ll at least try.

Wow. Just last week I posted about painting the portrait of my father’s life through a novel. It seemed God was putting people in my path who were encouraging me to take that leap. Now he put NaNoWriMo in front of me. I said it was daunting, but my father took so many leaps of faith during his journey from a small fishing community in Norway to Minneapolis, MN. I can launch this journey of my own — in November!

I am just finishing up the 31 days of Noticing challenge and would love to do this one. I have a novel rummaging through my mind and am determined it needs to finally be written… but…. hubby is having major surgery at the beginning of November and I have a feeling any writing will reflect negatively about being a care giver… maybe next year if I haven’t started this novel before. This sounds like a fun challenge though. I am sad I am not going to go for it. DAF

That typewriter looks lovely – I just want to start typing away on it! Very inspiring.
Are you taking part? I am! I did CampNaNo in April and met my goal of 25k, so I’m hoping this will be another win. I’ve got some friends joining in too – started a creative writing group at my sixth form and we’re doing NaNo.

I have participated three times in nanowrimo and it’s always a lot of fun to meet that challenge. In fact, one year I posted each day’s work on another blog outside of wordpress. But unfortunately I won’t do it this year. I have way too much work to do. In addition to a blog three times weekly, I am currently editing a short story for a kindle singles and a novel to be published next year. I originally wrote the novel, called “The Absolutely Unbelievable Extraordinary Adventures of Lady Wimpleseed-Prissypott”, for the 2009 nanowrimo. Writing a humorous novel was a new experience for me. The great thing about nanowrimo is you can write outside your comfort zone and not be afraid of messing up.

If you are thinking about participating, here’s some suggestions;;
1. Don’t start out with the idea that what you’re writing will be published. Write for your own amusement.

2.Don’t plan it all out. Keep some surprises. Otherwise it may be like pushing a stone up a hill.

3.Try using a prompt to begin each day’s work. It’s a great way to entertain yourself because you don’t know where the next day’s writing will take you.

4.Here’s one little secret to add up word count. Give the characters really long names. Everytime you mention that character all you have to do is copy and paste. I know it sounds like cheating but it sure helps.

Reblogged this on KRISTI PETERSEN SCHOONOVER and commented:
Speaking of small worlds, long-time NaNoWrimo and Pencils! Writing Workshop buddy John Palisano and I were both interviewed for this WordPress feature…and we pretty much had no idea until a day or two ago. Is that wild or what?

Reblogged this on threeprettyposies and commented:
I’ve never thought about this before, but it caught my eye this morning and I think it could be a really interesting way to focus my creative energy for a month…

I can’t say I will join the effort this round, but I am so friggin’ impressed with the great ideas, awesome support, and general help always offered by the WordPress forums and their blogging subscribers!

I have a story I’ve been waiting to start on for NaNoWriMo and I’ve been fighting starting it early. This is my second year doing NaNo and this year I’m going to finish the story not stop in the middle.

A friend introduced NaNoWriMo to me early this year. I’ve always dreamed to be an author. I’ve always wanted to write a novel. I have tried writing short stories and poems but writing a novel always fears me. I have a lot of flaws; grammar, creativity and so on… .I’m still in doubt, but I think I should try. Maybe.

Reblogged this on 6 of One… and commented:
I would normally never reblog something. It feels lazy to me, somehow. But, I wanted to share this with you today, because I am seriously considering doing this. I only have a few days to make up my mind, so I’d better get my you-know-what together. I also hope that you, Friendly Reader, will consider doing this. The world needs more great art! More you!

I am doing this, for the third time, with bells on. Since I’m not crazy enough, I’m also doing NaBloPoMo and I have exams. For this I recommend following the Twitter account, they do a feature called ‘Sprints’ where they give you a prompt and you write for X amount of time. It might mean you put a lot of nonsense in your novel – I know I did – but they’re good for keeping the words flowing. Good luck all 🙂

Reblogged this on Migraine Fitness and commented:
This is something I’ve been trying to get through for the last couple of years… the ONLY way you fail is to NEVER have started to begin with…so this year…yet again, I’m ready to try! Who is with me?

In 2012 I explored publishing online. Though the book wasn’t successful, understanding the process more was really rewarding. In 2013 I supported a group of older people to design their own website oswestrybordersu3a.wordpress.com Now it’s time for a bit of me-time. Looking forward to engaging with others and appreciating the opportunity to focus on writing.

I really wonder what will come of this, but remain positive – hopefully the novels will be either good or so bad it’s good 🙂
(at least I base this assumption it on my writing skills which are probably comparable to “normal human” 😉 ) Peace

Reblogged this on Vintage Puff and commented:
I will be participating in this year’s NaNoWriMo 🙂 Can’t wait to start – so many great ideas for my novel! Sneak peeks to be posted as the month chugs along 😉

It depends on your ultimate goal — you could decide if self-publishing is the right route for you. Poke around the different forums on the NaNo site to see what others are talking about and discussing.

Thanks for the reminder! I considered doing this last year and chickened out, but I think I’m ready do go for it this year. I will post novel on secretsnovel.wordpress.com and hope I can get 50,000 words by the end of November. Wish me luck!